Pensacola man arrested days after high-speed chase

Wednesday, a Pensacola man was arrested and lodged in the Santa Rosa County Jail after a high-speed pursuit which occurred on Nov. 22.

Alex Barnsdale, 25, was charged with high speed fleeing and eluding, aggravated battery on an officer, driving while license suspended, and property damage.

Barnsdale allegedly fled from Santa Rosa Deputies during the early morning hours of Nov. 22 after he struck and injured a deputy during a traffic stop.

The deputy was struck by his own driver’s door as Barnsdale drove directly at the officer and hit the deputy’s cruiser door with his truck in an apartment complex parking lot.

The deputy, who the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office has not identified, suffered injuries and possible fractures to his leg.

Other deputies pursued Barnsdale from Milton into Pace on Berryhill Rd. The pursuit was terminated due to the extremely reckless nature of Barnsdale’s driving.

Barnsdale allegedly reached speeds in excess of 120 miles per hour.

Although deputies were not able to see the driver or obtain a tag on the vehicle, the apartment complex captured the incident on surveillance tape. Deputies were able to obtain the tape, and also find the individual with whom Barnsdale was going to visit that night.

Further investigation revealed that Barnsdale was sending messages to that person via cell phone implicating him as being involved in the pursuit.

According to Sgt. Scott Haines, one message from Barnsdale stated that he “had a cop problem” and that he ran through Milton and Pace.

The person with whom Barnsdale was going to visit also stated that the truck in the video belongs to Alex Barnsdale. They also stated that they saw him driving it earlier that day. Barnsdale’s Facebook page also displayed a picture of him posing with the truck that was chased by deputies Nov. 22.

A warrant was issued by a Judge for Barnsdale’s arrest on Nov. 27.

Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Deputies, along with the US Marshals Task Force, located Barnsdale’s vehicle shortly after midnight on Nov. 28.

The truck was parked in front of an apartment located in Escambia County near Whitmire Road. Barnsdale was also located inside the apartment and taken into custody.